An hour of pampering at the salon means nothing when you contract a deadly bout of infection a day later. Exercise clean and safe practices for the perfect 10 every time.

1. Use common senseIt may sound like a no-brainer, but the number one indicator that differentiates an awesome nail salon from an awful one is cleanliness. "When choosing a salon, look for a clean environment, clean work stations, clean employees, and sterilization practices," says Susan Nam, celebrity manicurist and owner of Polished Beauty Bar. For specialty salon services, like CND Shellac (a high-gloss polish that lasts two weeks), check online at cnd.com to make sure the salon is certified, she adds.

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2. Be on the lookoutSalons that are committed to the safety and well being of your nails always use sterilized tools. "The only thing that will clean and kill germs well are implements that are put into pouches and put into an autoclave," says Nam. "Make sure that the pouches are opened in front of you just before your service is about to begin." If not, don't be afraid to speak up. The same holds true with manicurists: Their hands must be sanitized before beginning.

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3. Invest in your own tool kitIf you're feeling iffy about the sanitary conditions of a salon, it's best to err on the side of caution and bring your own manicure tools. Stock your kit with nail files, buffers, orange sticks, clippers, and brushes. But most technicians dislike using tools they're not used to, warns Nam. In that case, "ask your technician to purchase a preferred kit for you." As long as you regularly disinfect your tools and air out your nail files, your kit can easily be well kept, says Nam. She recommends reusable files that can be sanitized with soap and water.

4. Bring your own polishThe joy of going to a salon lies in the gratification of picking out an on-trend hue from the shelves of pretty polish. But the problem with sharing bottles with anyone and everyone is the risk of spreading or contracting fungal bacteria. If someone with fungus uses a bottle of polish, then the next person could become infected. Purchase your own bottle and bring it to a salon, recommends Nam. The same goes for base coats and topcoats.

5. Don't cut your cuticlesUnclean tools aside, mani-pedi-related infections can result from trimmed cuticles. "Cuticles grow for a reason: to protect us from having germs enter into our body through the cuticle area," explains Nam. Cutting it compromises that barrier, leading to bacterial contamination. Always ask your manicurist to push them back instead.

6. Act like the pedicure policePedicures are host to a whole other set of problems. Before each service, double-check that the basin is fully clean; otherwise, your foot soak can quickly become a cesspool of bacteria. If you're second-guessing the state of cleanliness, it's perfectly fine to ask the technician to clean it again in front of you. To shave off excess dead skin, ask for a gentle foot file to rub calluses smooth. Anything more abrasive can weaken the skin barrier, making it more prone to cuts and splits, and as a result, infections. Under no circumstances should your technician take a credo knife to your calluses, says Nam. "They can be dangerous if used incorrectly, and in the state of New York, it has been against the law to use one since 1997."

7. Do your part"Customers should always let technicians know if they have any cuts or abrasions, or if anything feels uncomfortable," says Hiroko Fujikawa, owner of MARS The Salon. Open wounds can also lead to more serious injuries, so take the time to heal first before booking your appointment.

8. Choose wiselyAll in all, choose a hygienic salon with technicians who have your best nail intentions in mind. "A good nail salon should not only take care of the appearance of your nails, but also the health and overall condition of your nails," says Fujikawa. "Think of it like a hair salon — you want a stylist to take good care of your hair while making it look good. You should want and expect the same care, protection and treatment from your nail technician."